Blog Postshttp://www.advancedaquarist.com
Below is a comprehensive listing of our latest blog posts sorted by date with the newest posts at the top of the list.
hourly12011-01-23T14:57:16Z

Super Zooxanthellae found!http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/super-zooxanthellae-found
Researchers have discovered a new species of Symbiodinium sp whose maximum thermal tolerance is an incredible 36C/97F. The clade C3 zooxanthellae was found in stony corals of the Persian/Arabian Gulf, one of the hottest tropical seas in the world. Click through to see the images.

New algae species helps corals survive in the hottest reefs on the planet

A new species of algae has been discovered in reef corals of the Persian (Arabian) Gulf where it helps corals to survive seawater temperatures of up to 36 degrees Celsius - temperatures that would kill corals elsewhere.

Researchers from the University of Southampton and the New York University Abu Dhabi identified the symbiotic algae in corals from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the world’s warmest coral reef habitat.

The paper, which reports the breakthrough discovery, is published in the journal Scientific Reports from where it can be freely accessed via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep08562.

“We found that commonly applied molecular methods did not give enough resolution to distinguish the dominant symbionts of Gulf corals from those in other parts of the world’s oceans,” explains Professor Jörg Wiedenmann, Professor of Biological Oceanography and Head of the Coral Reef Laboratory at the University of Southampton. “However, when analysed by alternative molecular biological approaches, we found pronounced differences that set this heat tolerant species clearly aside. We named it Symbiodinium thermophilum in reference to its ability to survive unusually high temperatures.”

Reefs are made up of many coral species, most of which live in a mutually beneficial relationship with microscopically small algae hosted in their tissue. These symbiont algae produce sugars that contribute to the diet of the coral in return for shelter and nutrients that are vital for algal growth.

However, the symbiotic association is vulnerable to changes in environmental conditions, in particular to increases in seawater temperature. Heat-stress induced loss of the algal partners from the coral host can result in the often fatal process known as ‘coral bleaching’.

“Understanding how corals survive under the extreme temperatures in the Gulf will give us important insights into the ability of reef corals to handle the heat stress, which is threatening their survival in the oceans that are warming up in response to climate change,” explains Professor Wiedenmann.

“We monitored the symbiotic partnership over several seasons to ensure that this association was stable through a range of thermal conditions,” comments Professor John Burt from the New York University Abu Dhabi. “We can confirm that this new type of alga is indeed the year-round prevalent symbiont across several dominant coral species from the Abu Dhabi coast of the United Arab Emirates,” he adds.

“It gives hope to find that corals have more ways to adjust to stressful environmental conditions than we had previously thought,” adds Professor Wiedenmann. “However, it is not only heat that troubles coral reefs. Pollution and nutrient enrichment, overfishing and coastal development also represent severe threats to their survival. Only if we manage to reduce these different forms of stress will corals be able to benefit from their capacity to adjust to climate change.”

]]>No publisherShane GraberNew SpeciesZooxanthellae2015-03-02T14:00:00ZNews ItemSet adrift with a pair of Harlequin filefishhttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/set-adrift-with-a-pair-of-harlequin
There's no debating it: Harlequin filefish are amazing fish. And there's just something magical about following an inseparable mated pair cruise the Maldives together. I could do a whole lot worse than become a harlequin filefish in my next life.Click through to see the images.

As you can see above, these guys are also darlings of the research community.

Note: While gorgeous and all-around awesome, Oxymonacanthus longirostris require special care and should be left for advanced fishkeepers. They have been weaned onto prepared foods in captivity, but the acclimation process is not for the novice.

]]>No publisherLeonard HoFilefish2015-02-27T13:10:00ZNews ItemMiniature water gardens: nature aquariums served extra dryhttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/miniature-watergardens-in-glass-boxes
Thinking outside the box inside the box: This perfectly describes the outstanding, unique craft of Robert and Stephen Dekker. The family business landscapes jaw-dropping miniaturized indoor water gardens. Click through to see the images.

Robert and Stephen Dekker operate Plantaria, perhaps one of the few (if not only) professional indoor miniature gardening services in the world. Robert, who holds a BS degree in Botany (Calvin College) and an MF in Forestry (Duke University), sought to miniaturize landscapes into environmentally controlled indoor settings so that people could enjoy them year-round.

What amazing jobs these two are doing!

Indoor gardens in aquarium form factor

By incorporating real stones and facades, waterfalls and streams, group plantings, three dimensional tiers, and canopy and understory compositions, Plantaria is able to replicate impressively majestic vistas all within spaces no larger than your standard 180 gallon aquarium.

The exhibits are kept between 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and lit by a bank of LEDs with spectra more geared for vegetative growth (a lot more red LEDs than we see over most aquariums). The plants are watered via an automatic timer.

Gardeners call their craft landscaping. Aquarists call our craft aquascaping. Plantaria refers to their craft as waterscaping. We recognize their work are not technically aquariums, but it's also not dissimilar to paludariums. Whatever you call it (aquarium, bonsai garden, or ultimate herp habitat), we can all agree it's gorgeous.

You can commission an one-of-a-kind living art exhibit by contacting Plantaria for more information. Or if you have the DIY skills and a green thumb, give this type of exhibit a try. The results, as you see, can be well worth the effort. As a bonsai enthusiast myself, I see limitless potential!

]]>No publisherLeonard HoPaludarium2015-02-26T14:00:00ZNews ItemCrystal Red Aquascapehttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/crystal-red-aquascape
We are long overdue for a shrimp tank post. An aquascape full of Caridina shrimps is arguably just as engaging as any aquatic exhibit you can set up. This nano aquarium displayed at the 2015 Art of the Planted Tank (held last week in Hanover, Germany) is a bustling metropolis of lil' busy-bees. Click through to see the images.

This aquarium proves that the phrase "My tank it too small" is not a valid excuse for a boring aquascape. It's all about scale and balance. I could spend hours watching these little dudes tending their gardens.

]]>No publisherLeonard HoAquascapingShrimp2015-02-25T15:00:00ZNews ItemBacteria in sponges harvest phosphate, clarifying reef watershttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/bacteria-in-sponges-harvest-phosphate-clarifying-reef-waters
Bacteria are the yeomen of the reef; it is these microscopic background workers that keep the whole coral reef 'machine' churning. For the first time, scientists have identified bacteria growing on sponges are responsible not just for nitrogen reduction but also for pulling phosphorus out of the water. Click through to see the images.

Scientists discover bacteria in marine sponges harvest phosphorus for the reef community

Did you ever wonder why the water is so clear around coral reefs? Scientists have known for years that sponges can filter water and gather nutrients from the ocean, making it appear crystal clear. For the first time scientists at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) have identified that bacteria on sponges are harvesting phosphorus from the water for the reef ecosystem to use for nourishment. The findings were published in the February 23 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“Coral reefs are under huge threat around the world, so we need to understand reef systems very well,” said study co-author Russell Hill, UMCES professor and director of the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology in Baltimore. “We have known for more than 100 years that water surrounding reefs is low in nitrogen and phosphorus. Charles Darwin even pointed out this paradox. This is an important step forward in understanding how you can have such incredible biodiversity even though the surrounding water is low in phosphorus.”

Marine sponges live on the bottom of the ocean and are an important component of a reef ecosystem. They are filter feeders and draw nutrients from the water column, processing thousands of gallons of seawater every day. This study opens up a new window on the role that sponges play in pulling nutrients out of the water and redistributing them to the reef, a basic and critical role for the ecosystem’s survival.

Sponges harbor many bacteria and microbes that rely on the sponge for survival, and vice versa. In fact, these microorganisms can account for up to 40% of the sponge’s volume. The bacteria that live in sponges may help transfer nutrients from the water to the sponge, and scientists have identified the mechanism for holding on to phosphorus for the first time.

“The sponge is an old animal and bacteria are even older, so they’ve been living together for a really long time,” said the study’s lead author Fan Zhang. “This mechanism has been going on for many millions of years, and we’re just now beginning to understand how they take phosphorus out of the water.”

Phosphorus is a nutrient essential for life, but it is at very low concentrations in the water around coral reefs. The new study reports that phosphorus is being captured by bacteria that live in the sponges and turned into polyphosphate, a form of phosphorus readily usable by the reef community. Polyphosphate is found in almost all organisms and functions as a way to store phosphorus and provide an energy reserve. The polyphosphate shows up on electron microscopy as tiny white clusters, or granules.

For years marine biologists had seen these granules on specimen samples of sponges, but never stopped to figure out what they were. For the first time, researchers provide evidence that these granules come from bacteria that live in the sponges that have stored phosphorus in the form of polyphosphate, providing a reservoir that the sponge and other reef organisms can use.

This finding is an important first step to developing deeper understanding of how imperiled reefs function at the bottom of the ocean, and could change the current view of phosphorus cycling in reef ecosystems. In the future, this knowledge could aid in understanding of effective management of phosphorus on land, such as pulling excess phosphorus out of wastewater.

“This is a great step forward in showing the functional significance for some of the bacteria in sponges, moving beyond an understanding of what bacteria are present to what they are doing for the sponge and for the community,” said Hill.

]]>No publisherLeonard HoPhosphateBacteria2015-02-25T14:00:00ZNews ItemPeace of mind with HomeSitterhttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/peace-of-mind-with-homesitter
We're sure this concern has crossed your mind: When no one is home, how do I know if there's a livestock-threatening power outage or water spill? The HomeSitter is a simple and affordable solution to this age-old worry. Click through to see the images.

The HomeSitter HS-700 (by Protected Home) connects to your phone land line.* In the event of a detected power outage or water spill (a wired water sensor is supplied), the device will call up to three telephone numbers with an automated message notifying you of the type of alarm that's been set off. All you have to do is input the phone numbers you'd like the HomeSitter to call in case of a tripped alarm. That's it! There's no monitoring fees, no ancillary components to install, and no internet settings to program. It's really a monitoring device anyone and their technophobic parents can learn to use in five minutes.

The HomeSitter is not designed specifically for aquariums. This much is evident when you see that it also features an air temperature alarm that is either triggered by a low alarm of 45°F/7°C or a high alarm of 85°F/34°C. This feature has limited utility for aquarists, but a DIY enthusiast may be able to modify the HomeSitter with a temperature probe - in which case the high alarm would be very useful for aquariums. It would be nice to see an enterprising individual or company market a modified version for aquarium use.

Retail price is a reasonable $99 USD although we've found market prices around $70 (sometimes as low as $60 on sale). In our opinion, this is a very nominal cost for all the peace of mind the HomeSitter buys.

In the past decade, remote monitoring devices from the likes of Neptune Systems, Digital Aquatics, et al. have been developed for the aquarium market. While these aquarium monitors are more advanced (more types of alarms, data-logging, etc.), the HomeSitter is hard to beat for its ease-of-use and low price for what it does.

*A more expensive cellular version is available for those who don't have a land line.

]]>No publisherLeonard Ho2015-02-24T14:00:00ZNews ItemThe copepod from hellhttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/and-you-thought-you-were-having-a-bad-day
Ich, flukes, and velvet parasites are terrible enough, but they're no where near as grotesques as what this poor dwarf goby is suffering from: a gnarly parasitic copepod literally sucking the life out of its host . And you thought you were having a bad dayClick through to see the images.

You can literally see the copepod pumping out the blood from the goby! But as sad as we might feel for the little guy, it's pretty amazing to see the diversity of bizarre life found on coral reefs ... even if said life is a blood-sucking parasite.

]]>No publisherLeonard HoParasites2015-02-23T14:00:00ZNews ItemAdvanced Aquarist wallpaper: "The Odd Couple"http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/advanced-aquarist-wallpaper-the-odd-couple
Here is another gorgeous 1920x1080 reef wallpaper by photographer Mitchell Brown. A blue damsel and longnose hawkfish pose for the camera (and of course the damsel tries to steal the spotlight).Click through to see the images.

(1920x1080 pixels) Click on the preview below to view the full resolution wallpaper. Right-click the wallpaper and "set as desktop background." Photo by Mitchell Brown (www.mitchellbrown.ca)

]]>No publisherLeonard Howallpaper2015-02-20T15:00:00ZNews ItemSome creatures use electricity and vibrations in sex (and this can be dangerous) http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/some-creatures-use-electricity-and-vibrations-in-sex-and-this-can-be-dangerous
Most animals use touch, smell, hearing, taste and sight to identify and attract a mate (that goes for humans too). But some species [like Ghost knifefish] have additional and unusual weapons in their sexual armoury – the ability to sense vibrations and electric signals which indicate that a similar creature is in the vicinity.Click through to see the images.

Of course, it takes one to know one – and these signals are usually invisible to other species that don’t possess the requisite receptors needed to pick up on these vibrations and signals. So while some electric fish have specialised cells to send and receive messages to members of their own species, other fish remain oblivious to this secret courtship within their neighbourhood.

But while this is usually an advantage, sometimes these secret courting signals can be picked up on by predators.

Ghost knifefish and electric sex

The ghost knifefish, native to freshwaters of South America, are quite unusual. They have developed a unique way of finding mates in dark, turbid waters where their vision may be compromised: they communicate with each other using electricity.

Brown ghost knifefish (Apteronotus leptorhynchus) have a specialised electric organ in their tail that generates a signal called Electric Organ Discharge (EOD). One fish produces an electric field to send a message, and the receiver uses electroreceptors distributed over its skin to interpret the signal. The frequency and waveform of the message give it a unique code that conveys recognition, aggression, location of food, warnings of danger, and in some cases, even courtship.

Male and female knifefish recognise each other from their unique EOD frequencies (EODfs). Males produce higher-frequency signals in the range of 800-1100 Hz, whereas females emit signals in the range of 600-800 Hz.

EODfs do more than just help these fish identify the opposite sex. They may even be indicators of “male quality”. Female knifefish generally prefer males with high EODfs, perhaps because they tend to have larger bodies and gain precedence over others while competing for limited resources like food.

Rüdiger Krahe of McGill University is an expert on communication in weakly electric fish and has recently demonstrated how environmental changes can manipulate mating behaviour in ghost knifefish. In his experiment, male and female fish were housed in the same aquarium for a month, during which researchers simulated breeding conditions within the aquarium by imitating a rainy environment – knifefish prefer to breed in the rainy season. They recorded the electric signals produced by the fish using electrodes placed on the fish and in the water. They found that in the rainy environment, males increased their EODfs, most likely to attract females.

The same team also performed a second experiment in which they housed one group of male knifefish in isolation and a second group surrounded by other male and female knifefish. The males housed in a social environment had higher EODfs. Thus, ghost knifefish not only use electric signals to find their partners but also are capable of continuously adjusting the nature of these signals according to changing environmental conditions.

Killed by vibrations

Some species of insects recognise their own kind with vibrations that convey specific information. The male leafhopper, for instance, transmits low-frequency vibrations through plants to recognise, locate and approach females. The insects possess specialised receptor cells in their legs to detect acoustic mating signals. However, unlike electric signals, these vibrational signals sometimes stand out from background noise and can therefore be intercepted by predators.

Tangle-web spiders prey on leafhoppers – and scientists at Cardiff University have shown that they locate their prey by exploiting the leafhopper’s sexual vibrational signals. In the study, spiders were placed on a plant and exposed to recordings of the leafhopper’s mating calls, generated using a vibrating device attached to the plant. These signals were adjusted to match the amplitude and frequency of the leafhopper’s natural calls.

The researchers found that the spiders changed their behaviour in response to different signals. In the presence of such vibrations, the spiders spent more time on the plant and began to display typical foraging behaviour. They started to make their way towards the vibrating leaf, probably because they thought it was a source of food. This directed movement was only observed in the presence of the male calling signal. The authors postulate that since male vibrational calls are more conspicuous and have higher amplitudes (that is, stronger vibrations) than female calls, spider foraging behaviour may be influenced by the difference. Wolf spiders that do not prey on leafhoppers remained unaffected by the insect’s vibrational signals in this experiment.

Vibrational signalling in animals has been well documented, but this is the first evidence for its use in predator-prey relationships. It is likely that there are other predators that intercept sexual vibrational cues to locate and capture their prey, and that this tactic is an unrecognised driver of evolution in many invertebrates.

]]>No publisherSana SuriReproduction2015-02-20T14:00:00ZNews ItemWhat type of betta do you have?http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/what-type-of-betta-do-you-have
Bettafish are often lumped together as generic bettas at your LFS. But there are many different varieties of bettas. Here are excellent references that helps ID the type of betta you own (or may be interested in). Know your betta!Click through to see the images.

Are you nuts about bettas and want to learn even more? The International Betta Congress publishes an excellent magazine called FLARE that is exclusively dedicated to these beautiful animals. Chapters of the IBC also sponsor the International Betta Competition where some of the world's most exotic bettas are exhibited.

]]>No publisherLeonard HoBetta2015-02-19T14:00:00ZNews ItemAre yellow tangs the most acrobatic fish?http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/are-yellow-tangs-the-most-acrobatic-fish
There are many reports of seemingly healthy yellow tangs (Zebrasoma flavescens) doing back flips and even swimming upside. As far as we know, there is no explanation for this strange and awesome behavior. Click through to see the images.

Here is a video of a yellow tang doing what appears to be voluntary back flips. The specimen appears fat, disease-free, and not under any distress. The owner report his tang performs its circus act randomly and irregularly (says the owner: "He just gets in his silly moods sometimes and does this.")

There are many more anecdotal accounts of yellow tangs performing similar "tricks"; just do a search for "tang flips" in any saltwater aquarium forum. A year ago, Reefbuilders reported about a yellow tang that seems to enjoy swimming upside down (video below).

What is it about this species that makes them perform these strange acrobatic feats? Is this just yellow tangs having fun? Showing off? Fighting their reflections? Buoyancy problems? There are not enough reports (both in captivity and in the wild) to say these acts are natural behaviors for yellow tangs. Yet, there are too many reports to think these acts are isolated phenomenons.

]]>No publisherLeonard HoTangs2015-02-17T14:00:00ZNews ItemMystery "tall, short-bodied" anthiashttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/mystery-short-bodied-anthias
We have a head scratcher. Christina Jayne of Union City (CA) LFS Baja Reef photographed this anthias or perchlet acquired at a wholesaler. But what species is it? Is it a hybrid? A juvenile of a large fish? A deformity? Unfortunately, the wholesaler did not have any information about this specimen.Click through to see the images.

Here we have what appears to be an unidentified serranid with an uncommon laterally flattened body form. Notable features include a pale white/magenta eyestripe, polka dots throughout the entire dorsal and anal fins, magenta outline for all its fins (including its emarginate caudal fin), and three indistinct light, broad stripes towards the anterior of its body.

]]>No publisherLeonard Ho2015-02-16T15:00:00ZNews ItemAdvanced Aquarist Wallpaper: Bradley's Acorpora lokanihttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/advanced-aquarist-wallpaper-bradleys-acorpora-lokani
We will be publishing Bradley Syphus' Featured Aquarium article this Wednesday. To whet your appetite, here is a new macro wallpaper featuring his luscious A.lokani. Click through to see the images.

(1920x1200 pixels) Click on the preview below to view the full resolution wallpaper. Right-click the wallpaper and "set as desktop background." Photo by Bradley Syphus.

]]>No publisherLeonard Howallpaper2015-02-16T13:00:00ZNews ItemMassive single coral colony observed in Japanhttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/massive-single-coral-colony-observed-in-japan
Off Okinawa, divers discovered what is possibly the largest single coral colony ever documented in Japanese waters. The herculean coral, a Pavona clavus, measures an astounding 24 meters (78 feet) in length, 17 meters (55 feet) in width, and ten meters (33 feet) in height.Click through to see the images.

The coral was discovered in 2010 but only recently professionally measured under commission from the Ministry of Environment Yaeyama Conservation Office.

]]>No publisherLeonard Ho2015-02-13T19:15:15ZNews ItemNewly described Pleco named after Star Wars characterhttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/newly-described-pleco-named-after-star-wars-character
As if discovering three new species of loricariid catfish wasn't awesome enough, the researchers named one of the new species after the Star Wars character, Greedo. Yup, that green alien bounty hunter Han Solo blasts at the Cantina.Click through to see the images.

The researchers describe the etymology of Peckoltiagreedoi in this way:

Named for Greedo of Rodia, a bounty hunter killed by Han Solo in Chalmun’s Spaceport Cantina in the movie “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (Lucasfilm, Twentieth Century Fox, 1977) with whom this species shares a remarkable resemblance.

P.greedoi, discovered from the waters of Brazil on planet Earth, is mostly reddish to dark brown so its etymology is definitely not based on color. We assume the "remarkable resemblance" is based on the buggy alien eyes (photo,right). Good enough for us!

The number of pleco species is fast approaching 1,000! Still, many more species are yet to be formally described; a lot of variants are currently identified with the pseudo-scientific L-number system, which pleco afficionados are familiar with. In fact, two more loricariid catfishes of the genus Pseudancistrus, P.kayabi and P.asurini, were just formally described just yesterday in another ZooKeys paper.

Expect hundreds more to come. Whether any of them will be named after General Ackbar, Boba Fett, Jabba the Hutt, or Wedge Antilles remains to be seen.